With the UFC 77 fight card taking shape, I thought it’d be a good time to give the newspaper’s readers a quick update on some local talent that’s been booked for the Cincinnati show. Unlike some recent events, I feel that the local fighters — Rich Franklin, Jorge Gurgel and Forrest Petz — are all completely deserving of slots on the fight card.

I also made a special mention of lightweight Dustin Hazelett (9-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who’s had solid back-to-back victories over Diego Saraiva and Stevie Lynch. Hazelett’s flown under the radar since he joined the UFC last last year (losing to Tony DeSouza), and I do hope they book him for the Cincinnati event. His improvement from fight to fight is obvious even to the most casual fan.

In addition to Hazelett, Franklin and Gurgel, other fighters such as Marcus Davis and the WEC’s Joe Riggs are also supposed to be in attendance at the event. I forgot to ask Sean Salmon (who also trains there) about the open house, but I’m hoping he’ll be there as well.

And yes, the event is open to the public. If you live anywhere Dayton or Cincinnati, you should check it out.

In any manner, to read this week’s column — which also features news on Chris Lytle’s and Salmon’s weekend victories — head over to DaytonDailyNews.com.

A total of 26 fighters got their chance to shine on Saturday as part of UFC 190 at Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena. Now that UFC 190 is in the books, it’s time to commence MMAjunkie’s “Three Stars” ceremony.

The man known for cranking submissions to the point of injury added eye-gouging to his repertoire. But is the controversy of Rousimar Palhares too essential to his bizarre, awful appeal for his employers to take any meaningful action against him?